Kira was running late, once again. Glancing up at the kitchen clock, she let out a small whimper, realizing what time it was. She sped toward her shoes, black high top converse, and slipped them on her feet, half-heartedly tieing them in a hurry. She grabbed the piece of toast from a plate on the kitchen table and held it in her mouth, grabbing a half filled bottle of milk in one hand, and the brown bag containing her lunch in the other hand. Her backpack was already hanging off her shoulders, and in a burst of speed, Kira leaped out the front door.

She jogged down the sidewalk and down a few blocks, headed toward Roxas's house. As the house came in view, she sprinted, skidding to a short stop when she was in front of it. She hopped up the steps, two at a time, until she was in front of the large wood door, and used the back of her hand to knock. Almost instantly, the door opened, and there stood Roxas, slowly adjusting his plaid, colbalt blue tie, which was part of their school uniform.

Noticing her heavy panting and slightly dishevveled appearance, Roxas smirked and stepped aside, allowing Kira entrance into the house. "You're late… Again," he remarked.

Kira used the hand that was carrying her milk to rip her toast out of her mouth, chewing and swallowing a bite of it in the process. "Yeah, yeah…" she breathed, still panting. "Is Axel joining us today, or is he going to meet us there?"

Kira and Roxas always walked to school. It was Kira's duty to get to Roxas's house before 7:45, and then the two would walk to school. They always went to the same spot- a large old oak tree that sat in a corner of the school's courtyard. Axel often walked to school by himself, meeting Kira and Roxas at the tree, but there were times when Axel woke up early enough to walk to Roxas's house and join in their walk to school.

"Meeting us there," Roxas replied from the kitchen, where he was grabbing an apple from a bowl and slinging his bookbag over his shoulder. The two headed out the door and down the sidewalk.

During the walk, Kira noticed Roxas was acting different than usual. He seemed more quiet, distracted, as though he was deep in thought. True, the fellow eighth grader was usually quiet and a little more serious than the others, but it was different than usual.

"Hey," Kira said, causing Roxas's head to snap in her direction. She smiled softly, and said, "You okay? You seem… kinda distant today."

"Oh. Yeah," Roxas replied. "I'm fine. I guess… I just have a lot on my mind."

Kira nodded slowly. "Well, I'm here if you want to talk, you know?"

A small, almost unnoticeable smile played on Roxas's face. "Yeah, I know."

"Tell me about it later?"

Roxas looked at his friend. Her eyes were to the brim with concern and worry, but glazed with kindness and truth, reminding Roxas that he could trust his life with Kira. After a moment, he replied, "Yeah. I'll tell you later… After school."

Kira nodded again, and turned her gaze back to where she was walking, still worried about her friend.

Noticing her apprehension, Roxas smiled and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, drawing her in tightly. "Can't have my best friend worrying, can I?" he said.

Kira glanced at him and grinned, raising her eyebrows in a doubtful manner.

Roxas laughed softly and said, "I'm fine, really. Don't worry. I'm. Fine." He repeated the last two words slowly and firmly.

They reached the school and walked toward their favorite spot, spotting a familiar redhead slouching against the trunk.

---x---

After school, Kira and Roxas left Axel to go to their secret place- a clearing in the forest behind the whole in the wall. Very few people knew about it because it was deep in the forest, so it was completely private. In fact, Kira and Roxas were the only ones who knew about it- they never even showed Axel.

The clearing had a small pond and a broad willow tree which curtained a large diameter around. It was a quiet and tranquil environment, perfect for relaxing… and talking to your best friend, when you had something on your mind that you needed to talk about.

Kira and Roxas settled their backpacks near the pond and sat by the trunk of the willow. Roxas leaned against the tree lethargically and Kira sat herself in front of him, stretching out and enjoying the peace.

"So Rox," she said gently after a few silent minutes. "What's been on your mind?"

Roxas didn't reply. He sat against the tree, staring at the pond and looking a little nervous, in a distracted way, similar to earlier in the day. But Kira knew he heard her and was listening; he was just contemplating how he should say what he was trying to say.

After moments of silence, Roxas spoke up. "Okay…uhm, let's see…A few days ago… My friend… he came up to me a-and told me about how he had a crush on one of his friends, right?" Kira nodded, so he continued. "He has a crush, but is worried and… hesitant about his feelings."

"Okay…?" Kira said impatiently, urging him to continue.

"But he needs advice because he doesn't know what to do and—"

He stopped when he saw Kira burst out laughing. He gave her a puzzled expression, which made her stop laughing. Smiling, she said, "Roxas, you just completely blew whatever cover you were trying to use."

Roxas pouted, slumping, as Kira started to giggle again. "That," she said, "and the fact that I'm your best friend! Come on Rox, I know how to read you by now."

"I guess your right…" Roxas mumbled, sighing.

Kira looked disbelieving at her friend. "Roxas. Listen to me clearly: I. Am. Your. Best. Friend. I know you know you can trust me. So just tell me. It's not like I'm going to… I don't know, scold you or laugh at you for whoever you happen to like, 'kay?"

Roxas nodded, looking more nervous than ever. He fiddled with his hands and looked at a random branch on the willow. "I… uhm… I kinda like…" The name he said was said so quietly, Kira couldn't hear it at all.

"Roxas," she whined.

"All right, all right!" he said, taking a deep breath. "I… I like… Axel."

Kira's face lit up and she flung her arms around her best friend's shoulders, enveloping him in a large, enthusiastic hug, earning a confused and shocked expression from Roxas. Bouncing with joy, Kira said, "Yay! Roxy's first crush!"

After a moment she pulled back slightly, hands clutching Roxas's shoulders, and her face mere inches away from his. She looked a little puzzled when she stared directly into his cerulean eyes, and said with her normal, enthusiastic voice, "You're gay?"

Upon hearing the exclaimation, Roxas fell backwards slightly and a rosy hue graced his cheeks. He became very flustered, sputtering out, "I-I-I'm n-not gay, I'm b-bi!"

Kira grinned and, much to his disliking, enveloped him in another tight hug. "Roxas, I can't believe I didn't see it earlier. I mean, the way you just look at him, the way you space out and stare at him when he talks to you…"

Roxas's blush deepened and he muttered back, "O-okay I get it!"

Kira continued to grin even as she released him. "I'm glad you told me," she said unnaturally softly. Noticing the gentleness of the tone, she quickly switched back to her normal, energetic voice and said, "See? You know you can trust me."

Roxas rolled his eyes and said, "Yeah, yeah. Just… please don't tell him!"

Kira was shocked by the desperation in his voice. She frowned and said, "I won't tell him."

Letting out a relieved sigh, Roxas fell back against the tree once again. "Thank you," he murmered.

A few silent moments passed, and Kira said, "So… what are you going to do?"

Roxas paused before answering, "I don't know… try and find out which way Axel swings, probably…"

Kira giggled, saying, "Hey, I'm up for a challenge."

Roxas's face lit up and he looked at his friend with wide eyes. "You'd do that?"

"Psh, yeah. I know how Axel works. See, Rox, that's one of the most important things to know- how to work around someone until you know how they work."

Still wide eyed, Roxas said, "So you're really going to try and find out?"

"Of course! And I'll even try to figure out how he feels about you, too," she smiled. Realizing Roxas's perpetual state of shock, she threw an arm around his shoulder and said, "Come on, Rox! What are best friends for, anyway?"

A small smile graced his lips. "Thanks, Kira," he muttered, pulling her in for a hug.